The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ)
has, on Wednesday "strongly criticised the proposed ‘Defamation and
Freedom of Expression Act’ in the Maldives."
IFJ on Wednesday released a statement, demanding the withdrawal of the bill.
"The IFJ demands immediate withdrawal of the bill and urge the Maldivian government to review it with all stakeholders including the media and journalists to ensure it meets the international standards," reads the statement.
“The proposed defamation and freedom of expression bill is an attack on press freedom and the media. This move by the government is aimed at silencing critics and weakening the country’s already fragile media. The bill proposes criminalising defamation which is against the international standards and is a threat to freedom of expression and free press. The IFJ calls on the government to immediately withdraw the bill and hold open consultations with all stakeholders regarding defamation and freedom of expression," said IFJ.
On March 22, the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives Parliamentary Group leader MP Ahmed Nihan presented the defamation and freedom of expression bill to the Maldives parliament, noted IFJ.
Noting that the draft law "prescribes hefty fines of between MVR50, 000 (US$3,200) and MVR5 million (US$324,000) as penalties for violations, with offenders who fail to pay the court-imposed fine will face a one-year jail term, IFJ said that "newspapers and websites that publish “defamatory content” may also have their licenses revoked, while the draft law says that the constitutional right to freedom of speech can be narrowed or restricted if an expression contradicts a tenet of Islam, threatens national security, defames or causes damage to an individual, or violates societal norms."
IFJ further noted following the proposal of the bill, a group of 10 senior Maldivian journalists released a joint statement saying the bill will ‘’prevent journalists and citizens from speaking out over serious accusations of corruption and the integrity of state officials’
IFJ on Wednesday released a statement, demanding the withdrawal of the bill.
"The IFJ demands immediate withdrawal of the bill and urge the Maldivian government to review it with all stakeholders including the media and journalists to ensure it meets the international standards," reads the statement.
“The proposed defamation and freedom of expression bill is an attack on press freedom and the media. This move by the government is aimed at silencing critics and weakening the country’s already fragile media. The bill proposes criminalising defamation which is against the international standards and is a threat to freedom of expression and free press. The IFJ calls on the government to immediately withdraw the bill and hold open consultations with all stakeholders regarding defamation and freedom of expression," said IFJ.
On March 22, the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives Parliamentary Group leader MP Ahmed Nihan presented the defamation and freedom of expression bill to the Maldives parliament, noted IFJ.
Noting that the draft law "prescribes hefty fines of between MVR50, 000 (US$3,200) and MVR5 million (US$324,000) as penalties for violations, with offenders who fail to pay the court-imposed fine will face a one-year jail term, IFJ said that "newspapers and websites that publish “defamatory content” may also have their licenses revoked, while the draft law says that the constitutional right to freedom of speech can be narrowed or restricted if an expression contradicts a tenet of Islam, threatens national security, defames or causes damage to an individual, or violates societal norms."
IFJ further noted following the proposal of the bill, a group of 10 senior Maldivian journalists released a joint statement saying the bill will ‘’prevent journalists and citizens from speaking out over serious accusations of corruption and the integrity of state officials’
source- https://raajje.mv/61631
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